For me, being gay at Calvin has not been the easiest thing to deal with. I know that many people at Calvin say they believe in the whole, ``Love the sinner, hate the sin.'' If that's what they believe, they sure don't show it.

I have heard several derogatory comments made about homosexuals and about people who are or who are assumed to be homosexuals. It is not uncommon to hear the phrases, ``You fag!'' or ``That's gay!''

Some people use these phrases because unfortunately they have become part of American slang. While some do not mean to offend homosexuals with what they say, others do.

At times it can be hard to deal with listening to the homophobic and slanderous comments that are issued daily. There are people whom I am acquainted with who classify homosexuals in the same category as murderers and thieves. I am not either of those.

There are people who have called me their friend who say they would never be friends with a gay person. I am not sure what they are afraid of.

The roommate I had my first semester at Calvin said that he had even written on his housing application, ``I don't want a gay roommate.'' I was utterly shocked when I heard that he had written this.

I still have not told him yet that I am gay.

I'm not sure what he would do if he knew that he had lived with a homosexual for 4 months. I imagine I may tell him one day, maybe he will realize after living with a gay person and forming a friendship with one, that they aren't all horrible people.

Knowing that he had a hatred for a part of me that he was not even aware of was very difficult to deal with.

One thing I have noticed in particular is the naïveté of many students. I have had conversations with people who say, ``There are no gay people at Calvin are there?'' or even those who say, ``I've never met a gay person before.''

There are those who also question the purpose of Ribbon Week or the GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual or questioning) support group by saying, ``What's the purpose of having that just for the one or two gay people at Calvin?'' I wish people would wake up and realize, GAY PEOPLE EXIST AT CALVIN!

There are several things I would like people at Calvin to know about GLBTQ people:

1. Homosexuals are not going to be attracted to every person of the same sex they come in contact with. Don't assume they are going to fall in love with you if you are of the same sex. Just as heterosexuals will not fall in love with every person they meet of the opposite sex they meet, the same is the case with homosexuals.

2. Homosexuality is not contagious.

3. Not all homosexuals are promiscuous, nor are they sex offenders.

4. Homosexuals can be Christians.

5. Homosexuals exist at Calvin College.